Nuevo León’s Role in Mexico’s Energy and Industrial Development
Monterrey, NL. Nuevo León is at a strategic juncture for the country’s energy and industrial development. The nearshoring boom has positioned the state as Mexico’s primary relocation destination, concentrating 76% of the FDI associated with this trend. This dynamism has spurred the expansion of industrial parks, particularly in the northern and eastern zones of the Monterrey Metropolitan Area, increasing pressure on energy infrastructure, according to Eleazar Rivera Mata, General Director of the Nuevo León Energy Cluster.
Current Energy Landscape in Nuevo León
Despite having over 8,000 MW installed—69% in combined cycle—only 12% comes from renewable sources. Distributed generation has surpassed 400 MW, though it faces integration barriers. Simultaneously, employment in extractive, electric, and manufacturing sectors is growing rapidly, with over 850,000 people expected to be directly or indirectly linked to the energy sector by 2030, Rivera Mata noted.
Nuevo León’s Transition Energy Leadership
Nuevo León aims to lead the energy transition, leveraging its industrial weight and nearshoring role. By 2030, the goal is to have a robust talent ecosystem promoting efficiency, digitalization, and decarbonization throughout the energy chain, Rivera Mata emphasized during the presentation of the study “Deployment of a Strategy for the Development of Skills in Nuevo León’s Energy Industry,” involving the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and the Nuevo León Energy Cluster.
Rising Clean Energies
Internationally, the energy transition is driven by global sustainability, decarbonization, and efficiency goals while regulatory adjustments at the national level create investment uncertainty, making local capacity and adaptable technical talent crucial.
Globally, renewable energy’s share of total consumption increased from 16.7% to 18.7% between 2015 and 2021. International investment in clean energy rose by 25% in developing countries during the same period.
“The global capacity of renewable energy is expected to double by 2030, from 4,250 GW to 10,000 GW. The surge is driven by sectors like Data Centers, electric mobility, refrigeration, and AI,” the study notes. “By 2050, electricity will be the primary global energy source, according to McKinsey & Company,” it adds.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is nearshoring and why is it important for Nuevo León? Nearshoring refers to the relocation of businesses to neighboring countries, in this case, Mexico. It’s crucial for Nuevo León as it has become a primary destination, driving industrial and energy development.
- What is the current energy situation in Nuevo León? Nuevo León has over 8,000 MW installed, with 69% in combined cycle. However, only 12% comes from renewable sources, and distributed generation faces integration challenges.
- Why is Nuevo León focusing on the energy transition? Nuevo León aims to lead the energy transition by leveraging its industrial strength and nearshoring role, creating a robust talent ecosystem for efficiency, digitalization, and decarbonization.
- What is the global outlook for clean energy? The share of renewable energy in total consumption has grown from 16.7% to 18.7% between 2015 and 2021. Global renewable energy capacity is expected to double by 2030, driven by sectors like Data Centers, electric mobility, refrigeration, and AI.
